IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/cdanxx/v37y2021i4p492-508.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Planetary defence systems – threat to survival?

Author

Listed:
  • Jakub Pražák

Abstract

The article explains why Weaponisation of outer space may soon be inevitable and that development of space weapons is a serious issue, especially in regard to dealing with sensitive dual-use technology. At the same time, the Earth may be threatened by incoming asteroids and comets, which may endanger humankind’s existence. Hence, it is advisable to develop effective planetary defence systems. However, the article claims that discussed planetary defence technology – kinetic impactor, nuclear explosion, gravity tractor and space tug, laser, and solar collector – have far-reaching dual-use consequences with potential for their weaponisation. Thus, the article argues in favour of greater transparency and surveillance mechanisms for dual-use and arms control. Moreover, the private sector should be involved in discussion since it may be contributing to negotiation processes and can ensure secure research and development, as well as operability of sensitive planetary defence systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jakub Pražák, 2021. "Planetary defence systems – threat to survival?," Defense & Security Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 492-508, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:cdanxx:v:37:y:2021:i:4:p:492-508
    DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2021.1995979
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/14751798.2021.1995979
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1080/14751798.2021.1995979?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:taf:cdanxx:v:37:y:2021:i:4:p:492-508. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Longhurst (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.tandfonline.com/CDAN20 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.